Dates for your Diary North Moreton News

OCTOBER 1 Police Surgery 7 - 8 pm North Moreton Village Hall Issue 86 October 2009 3 Swap-Shop 10 - 12 noon Regal Centre, Wallingford 3 Jumble Sale 2 - 4 pm South Moreton School The Church Tower Fund made a huge leap forward on 26 July, thanks to 4 Be the Change Seminar 2.30 - 6.30 pm The Old Stables the energy and generosity of Peter and Polly Vacher. They had arranged 10 Book Sale 10 - 4 pm North Moreton Village Hall for a flying display, a show of vintage cars and motorcycles and a hog 14 W I Meeting 7.30 pm North Moreton Village Hall roast and it turned out to be a splendidly memorable occasion. 17 Quinney Day 10am - 12 noon All Saints’ Church We had a spectacular display from the Vachers’ own Hurricane, two NOVEMBER low-level passes by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Lan- 7 Soup Lunch & Charity Card Sale 12 noon - 2 pm caster, a remarkable aerobatic display by a Pitts Special – as someone 9 Parish Council Meeting 8 pm North Moreton Village Hall said, the one that looked like a particularly irritated wasp – then forma- 11 W I Meeting 7.30pm North Moreton Village Hall tion flying and individual salutes by three Tiger Moths, a beautiful 14 MCC Dinner at The Bear at Home glider display to music and finally a noisy and fast contribution from a Seafire, the naval version of the Spitfire. DECEMBER 5 Handel’s Messiah Cuddeson Village There were over 40 vintage cars: many Rolls-Royces, Rileys and Bent- 9 W I Meeting 7.30pm leys but also even rarer ones including a Jensen and a glorious Bugatti. Chris Lewis’s fine collection of motorcycles made an excellent comple- FEBRUARY ment to the cars.

6 MCC Quiz Village Hall We were delighted that over 700 people were able to be there and only 12 Concert in All Saints’ Church sad that we couldn’t meet the whole of the demand for tickets.

We owe special thanks to David Shepherd, who contributed an original drawing of two donkeys to be raffled and was himself there for the Editor: Nora Haycock, Peckwater, North Moreton. Phone 812202 whole afternoon; to everyone on the group which organised the occasion Email: [email protected] and to the many others who helped in all sorts of ways; to Ollie Clark and his band; to the RAF for sending a Merlin helicopter from Benson; Printed by the CHURN Benefice to the Air Training Corps for their efficient stewarding to keep us all Copy for the December issue should reach the Editor by safe; to Ray Park and his team for a top-quality hog roast on a grand 20th November scale; to all of the visiting car owners and pilots; and above all to Peter North Moreton News is published four times a year & can also be read on line at and Polly Vacher for making it happen. www.North-Moreton.com The result was a contribution of over £9,000 to the Church Tower Fund – an excellent outcome. Nick Sanders North Moreton Parish Council Charity Christmas Card Sale Footpath Litigation. Exchanges with the solicitor representing a parishioner over disputed Saturday 7th November ownership of a footpath to the allotments behind Long Wittenham Road are still continuing with no apparent end in sight, and the Parish Coun- cil has been made aware by our legal advisor that it may well be neces- 12 noon - 2.00 p.m. sary to return to the court to resolve the matter. It has been hoped that the dispute could be settled out of court. The continued uncertainty North Moreton Village Hall means that forward financial planning remains difficult, and we antici- pate having to increase the premium on our litigation insurance policy Selection of delicious as legal costs by both parties continue to rise.

home-made soups on sale Cost of Election for vacancy on Parish Council. The PC were not exactly pleased to be charged nearly £900 by SODC for costs incurred in holding the election earlier this year. Maintenance of democratic rights is very important, but it sometimes comes at quite Useful Information a price!

Beat Officer: WPC Susan (Pip) Walker - 0845 8505505 New gate for the Recreation Ground PCSOs: Clare Beale & Paul Cole - 0845 8505 505 A new large gate has been fitted at the Bear Lane entrance to the Rec- Crime Stoppers: 0800 555 111 reation Ground (The Croft) to replace one that was falling apart. It has Parish Clerk: Andrew Wise 01235 511427 been inset further from the road to make it easier for drivers to turn in Parish Council Chairman: Roger Haycock - 812202 Bear Lane. John Jones and Gar Evans are warmly thanked for their OCC/SODC Councillor: Patrick Greene 07899 878 344 financial contribution to the cost, and they, Chris Lewis and Jon Slade Village Hall Bookings: Anne Silvester, 17 Bear Lane - 811646 are also thanked for carrying out the installation. The gate will nor- Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator: Nora Haycock - 812202 mally be kept locked, but keys are held by the PC Chairman and several Concessionary Travel Tokens: SODC - 01491 832000 officers of Moreton Cricket Club. Mobile Library: Wk 1 Wednesdays: Toddler Care 15.55 - 16.20 Wk 2 Wednesdays: Bus Shelter 10 - 10.15 Ground maintenance - Thanks again. Refuse & Recycling Collections: alternate Thursdays I’m sure residents would wish to join the Parish Council in thanking Garden Waste Collection: alternate Thursdays Brian Hayes most sincerely for the tremendous work he has been doing Postal Services: The Village Hall, Brightwell - Mondays, (ably supported by Mark Baillie) to clear the scrub from the Rushcroft Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays 9.30 - 12.30. 01491 at the rear of the playground. The boundary at the back of the play- 834728 ground had become overgrown in recent years and the much-needed Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Didcot 01235 813632 clearance will allow the PC to maintain the playground fencing. Chil- dren have broken the fencing in several places by climbing over it but it may be hoped that they will now find it unrewarding. Apple Day at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Dog nuisance. Despite numerous reminders to dog owners, parishioners continue to Around 34 different varieties of apples will feature at the Apple Day complain about dog mess not being cleared up on the Rec and else- to be held at the Red Lion, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell from 12.00 on where in the village. If you own a dog, please clear up after it! The PC Sunday 18th October. There will be an apple themed menu and tast- is reluctant to spend the not-inconsiderable sum needed to have dog poo ings of traditional cider, different varieties of apples, honey and juice bins installed and emptied – they may not be used, even if fitted! We pressed using village apples. The Environment Group will also dis- are also reluctant to take up the powers now available to us to fine dog play the results of the Fruit Tree Survey. owners for offences – but we may be forced to it.

For more information contact Alison 01491 835408 or Sue at the Red Please also ensure that the pedestrian gates to the Rec and in particular Lion 01491 837373 www.redlion.biz those to the Playground are kept closed. Roger Haycock, Chairman NMPC

On this note, it you have a glut of fruit this year (and some of the village trees are laden!) you could make a batch of chutney to sell at Closure of Sands Road Bridge next year’s Fete... Sands Road Bridge will be closed from 2nd November 2009 for 7 If this is not your scene, why not put a box by your gate for passers- days and from 14th December 2009 for 13 weeks. by to help themselves or invite your friends/neighbours in to ‘pick their own?! The November closure is to allow further exploratory work to take place. During this period the bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic between 07.00 and 17.30 hours daily although pedestrians and cyclists

should be able to cross.

ST PETER’S NURSERY & FARM SHOP During the longer closure it is anticipated that pedestrians and cyclists will be able to cross during the first week and again once the main Bear Lane North Moreton structure is rebuilt - although this will be at the discretion of the com-

10am – 4pm Wednesday - Sunday and Bank Holidays pany carrying out the work. The actual demolition will take place be- tween 24th - 29th December and while this takes place and the basic Pop in for Autumn planting ideas, Bedding, Bulbs, Baskets structure rebuilt, the only pedestrian route between the Moretons will be plus Mature trees, Cottage garden perennials, Shrubs, via Footpath 3 behind St Peters Farm.

Bamboos & Climbers. During the closures all vehicular traffic will route via the A4130 and and whilst you’re here visit our Farm Shop for Gift Ideas, Fantastic Planters Fulscot Bridge Road. & Pots, Garden Furniture and of course Beef straight from the Farm

Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Support Come in and see us or call Jon & Annetta on 01235 519944 or 07850 040311/07855 951388 Jacqui and Annetta would like to thank everyone who supported the recent coffee morning. Thanks to your generosity a fantastic £275 was raised for this important cancer charity. South and North Moreton Women’s Institute Handel’s 'Messiah'

The July meeting, held at Pat Storch's, was a very enjoyable evening. Saturday 5th December 2009 Members were able to relax and enjoy a delicious supper, whilst catch- ing up on all the news. Games of boules and croquet were also played. Do you like to sing? Do you love 'Messiah'?

The weather was fine for the August outing to Stonor Park. There was a If the answer to either or both of these questions is 'Yes', then please read on! tour of the house and gardens and the afternoon ended with a relaxing tea. This year, Cuddesdon will be marking the 250th anniversary of Han- The speaker at the September meeting was Mrs Julia Freeman, who del's death by presenting its own 'DIY' performance of George gave a very interesting talk about her experiences as a Wimbledon um- Frideric Handel's 'Messiah', on Saturday 5th December. Our venue pire. She brought along her uniform and passed round schedules and will be the 12th century All Saints Parish Church right in the centre of Cudddesdon village. her personal records of matches she had umpired. The evening was a great success. In case you're wondering, the 'DIY' element of this rendition relates Our next meeting will be held in October and is a Bring and Share Har- to the SATB vocal chorus. This will be made up of individuals who vest Supper. love to sing, who come together on the day; first for a morning re- hearsal and then for the evening performance. Space permitting, the Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at North event is open to all - including those who prefer just to listen - so Moreton Village Hall. We are always pleased to welcome visitors and why not come and join us? Rehearsal: 10.00 - 13:15 - Performance: new members. Please contact Sandra Monk on 812721 or Liz Elliot on 19:30. 812562 for details. Penny Busby Great music and great fun! Conductor and Chorus Master will be North Moreton Charitable Trust Hugh Jones, currently Director of Music at Ripon College Cuddes- don. Selected choruses and arias will include 'O thou that tellest A Book Grant of £50 is available to any young person resident in good tidings to Zion', 'For unto us a child is born', 'I know that my North Moreton who started University or Higher Education in 2008 or redeemer liveth', 'The trumpet shall sound', 'Lift up your heads, O ye 2009. Please contact the Clerk to the Trustees, Nora Haycock on Gates' and 'Hallelujah!' Chorus. 812202 or via email. First performed in Dublin in 1742, 'Messiah' is a musical account of The Trust would remind residents that allotments are available at very the life and significance of Jesus, from nativity to resurrection and reasonable rates - from £5 to £10 per annum depending on size! Please beyond. Originally conceived as a Lenten piece, it has long since contact the Allotment Warden, Stuart Bell, on 07946 626 645 for more become a firm Advent favourite and for many an essential part of the information. run up to Christmas.

North Moreton Toddler Group….. For more information please contact us at Messiah@ripon- meets every Thursday from 9.30 - 11. 30 a.m. in North Moreton Village cuddesdon.ac.uk Hall. Fun activities and a sing-song for the children - coffee and a chat for the adults. £2.00 per session.

Moreton Cricket Club Fundraising in North Moreton Despite the summer weather, the club has had a very good and busy sea- With so many fundraising events taking place in the village, it has son. On many occasions we have managed to put out three teams a week been suggested that a readily available list of forthcoming events, and played more than sixty games, winning the majority of them. both confirmed and projected, would help to prevent clashes. This year in July we visited the West Country for a short tour and The obvious place for this is the village website, North- played Brixham, Ivybridge and Kingsbridge, winning all three games. Moreton.com, with a list in North Moreton News for those who Perhaps the highlight of the season was the Cricket Festival which, com- are not on line. bined with 'The Bear' Beer Festival, provided a very entertaining week- In addition to events organised by the PCC, MCC, Village Hall end. We managed to play twelve hours of cricket in all kinds of Committee, etc, we would propose to include events at the Bear weather on the Saturday of the festival with eight teams taking part in a and South Moreton School as well as those organised by indi- six-a-side competition. The eventual winners of the competition were viduals i.e. the Air Pageant, Hat-Stand Opera etc. our visitors from Amsterdam who will hopefully be back for the same event next year to defend the trophy. On the Sunday we played a full We envisage providing just basic details on line i.e. eleven-a-side game against them and managed to beat them this time! Date Event Provisional/Confirmed Contact Name There will a club dinner in November with prizes for some outstanding The date may be specific or as vague as ‘end May/early June’ - performances during the season and likewise some prizes for some per- the idea being that if another event is being planned for this pe- formances not quite so outstanding but very memorable!! riod, the two organisers can get together and discuss possibilities. The coordinator will provide contact details if required. Trevor Denning, President MCC

Open Gardens 2010 Sonia Willson ([email protected]) has kindly volun- teered to act as coordinator and will design & maintain an area on Prisms, the PTA for South Moreton School, are hoping to organise an the website. Open Gardens Day in aid of School funds. The event would take place at We hope to organise a meeting very shortly with some of the or- the end of May or beginning of June and involve gardens in the ganisers to discuss this further but in the meantime, if you have Moretons and Astons. Tickets and teas would be organised by the school. any comments/suggestions, please contact Sonia or Nora. If you would be willing to open your garden to the public, please contact Susannah Stobart on 01235 810130 ([email protected]). Walnuts for Sale!

Walnuts for sale straight from the tree! Only £1.50 a

bag! All proceeds (minus packaging costs) to the church. South Moreton School PTA Jumble Sale Please call Vanessa Nash 811333 or email [email protected]. Saturday 3rd October 2pm in South Moreton School

Jumble can be brought to the school on morning of Sale North Moreton Village Hall 2009 Ride and Stride

A huge vote of thanks to Gar Evans and John Jones for all their Thank you for the wonderful turn out for the Ride and Stride this year. hard work in sprucing up the outside of the hall. We now have no- Eleven people (maybe more) rode for North Moreton and it was lovely tice boards on the outside & inside walls of the porch and would to have a number of children among them. From what I have heard, all ask anyone wishing to put up a notice to use these and not the end had a great day, thanks largely to the perfect weather. wall of the hall. Thank you as well to Patrick, who was not riding this year. (Some After a quiet summer, fundraising has started again in earnest! The excuse about a broken leg!). He took a turn in the Church to welcome th first event was the Harvest Supper on 26 September in aid of All our visitors and allowed his leg cast to be on display. Folk were in- Saints’ Tower Fund which, thanks to the generosity of those who vited to guess the cast weight and as well as providing considerable donated starters and puds, raised £490. amusement, it raised an amazing £75.00 for OHCC and All Saints. On Saturday 10th October we will be holding our Autumn Book Thank you Patrick for providing the two prizes, which were won by Sale. We have, as always, an excellent selection of books on offer, Maggie Parker, who guessed the nearest (1lb.2oz) and Veronica Gibbs (1lb 1oz). including a section for children of all ages, so do make a special effort to come along and stock up for the long winter evenings! Full details of the money raised will be available at the end of Octo- There is no entry charge and tea and coffee are available for pur- ber. A gentle reminder to those who have sponsorship money, that I chase. If you have books to donate, or can spare an hour or two dur- would like to finalise the account by mid-October. Thank you to those ing the preceding week to help sort the different categories, please who have collected it already. call Gar Evans on 813858. Beryl Jones (510035) Saturday 7th November is the date of our annual Charity Christ- mas Card Sale and Soup Lunch and we hope to have cards on sale in aid of Cancer Research, Helen & Douglas House, Oxfam & Save the Children. Once again there is no entrance charge and there will You are invited to a workshop on Climate be the usual selection of delicious home-made soups on sale in aid Change, Sustainability and Social Justice. of Hall funds. We will look at the biggest challenges and opportunities we We look forward to seeing you at these events. face today: Nora Haycock, Chairman VHMC • The state of our industrial world. • Our impact on the developing world.

• Where we go next. BOOK SALE and will include input from people in the village.

Saturday 10th October th 10 a.m - 4 p.m. Sunday 4 October 2009 2.30 to 6.30. THE OLD STABLES, ALDERS BARNSNORTH MORETON NORTH MORETON VILLAGE HALL in aid of Hall and Tower Funds To book a place please contact Sarah Mook. Email: [email protected] or phone 0780 8294669 Refreshments available